A LESSON IN RESPECT: MCPHERSON, HEYMAN & THE LINE YOU DON'T CROSS

Keith, you have egg on your face. Own it.

In the world of sports journalism, integrity is not just a buzzword—it’s the foundation upon which reputations are built. When Keith McPherson of WFAN decided to take aim at Jon Heyman, even as a joke as he claims, it was not just a misguided attempt at humor; it was a glaring display of overstepping his bounds. It was public, it was live and Heyman has clout. McPherson does not.

Let’s get one thing straight: Jon Heyman has put in decades of hard work, navigating the challenges of the baseball industry with a dedication that commands respect. The man has been in the trenches for years, breaking countless stories, and while he’s not perfect (who is?), he’s earned his place among baseball’s most respected voices.

Yes, here at Bleeding Yankee Blue, we’ve taken our shots at Heyman. We’ve called him out for inaccuracies and held him accountable when he’s been wrong. The infamous “Arson Judge to the Giants” tweet from 2022? That was a misstep—a stain on his career that he fully owns. But even when we critique him, it’s done with the understanding that Heyman’s commitment to the game is unquestionable. We often make fun of Baseball insiders. Why? Because it's easy. We call it a guess, because when they're wrong, that's how it's perceived. But let me state for the record that we rarely give credit when they it right.  We will make sure we do more, based on this latest McPherson mess up.

But back to McPherson. He is a tiny fish in a very big pond, lacking the clout, experience, and standing to make jokes that question someone’s integrity, especially someone of Heyman’s stature. Even Bleeding Yankee Blue, a blog built on honesty and opinion, is bigger than McPherson. Learn some respect, Keith, because the truth is, the very people you’re joking about are the ones who inspired you to pursue this career in the first place. Remember?

The “Boras Corp” Fiasco

If you live under a rock, it all started during a segment where McPherson and Heyman were discussing Heyman’s story about the Mets signing former Yankees reliever Clay Holmes. McPherson decided to inject humor, making a quip about Heyman being part of Scott Boras’s “camp.”

“When I look at your tweets, and when I look at your history, I always say, ‘Okay, this guy is part of Boras Corp,’” McPherson joked.

He then asked Heyman, “What’s the percentage of the Juan Soto contract you’re going to get when you break the news on where he signs?”

This is where McPherson crossed the line. For a journalist like Heyman, integrity is everything. The insinuation that he might be working on behalf of a player agent like Boras—a clear conflict of interest—wasn’t just a bad joke; it was an attack on the very core of his professional identity.

Heyman’s frustration boiled over, and who could blame him? He snapped back, defending his body of work and expressing disbelief at McPherson’s audacity.

“I don’t need to break this [Soto] story. I’ve broken a lot of stories,” Heyman said. “I can’t believe you even said that. To question my integrity.”

Heyman went further, stating, “I know you’re not a journalist; you don’t know anything about this [reporting business].” He ended the call abruptly, shouting, “I can’t even believe it! I CAN’T EVEN BELIEVE IT!”

Jon Heyman's spot with Keith McPherson ends abruptly.

"I'm done with you and I'm done with WFAN. Goodbye. I can't even believe it. I can't even BELIEVE IT!" pic.twitter.com/vXohLeRo9G

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 7, 2024

It was an epic meltdown—and not Heyman’s fault.

Keith McPherson is a rookie in this industry compared to Heyman. He hasn’t put in the years of work, nor does he have the track record to poke fun at someone like Heyman. The “Boras Corp” joke? It’s a cheap shot from someone who doesn’t understand the grind of reporting in the baseball world. Keith will say he does, but he doesn't.

Being a baseball insider is a relentless, thankless job. It requires building sources, verifying facts, and facing constant scrutiny. Heyman’s career is far from flawless, but his contributions to the game are undeniable. The “Arson Judge” mistake stings, sure, but it’s a footnote in a career defined by breaking major stories and delivering timely, accurate baseball news.

McPherson, on the other hand, has no such legacy. A few years on the air do not entitle him to take potshots at a veteran of Heyman’s caliber. If anything, McPherson should focus on building his credibility rather than tearing down someone who’s spent decades earning theirs. He blew it plain and simple.

If you've been reading us since the beginning, September 2010, you know that Bleeding Yankee Blue has always been about integrity in journalism. We’ve been around for 14 years, holding people accountable while respecting the hard work it takes to succeed in this industry. We’ve criticized Heyman when he’s been wrong, but we’ve never questioned his dedication to the game or his love for baseball.

McPherson’s antics were not only unprofessional but also indicative of a larger issue: the lack of respect for those who have paved the way. Joking about someone’s integrity, especially when you’re still climbing the ladder, is not just tone-deaf—it’s career suicide.

WFAN and McPherson should take this incident as a wake-up call. Whether it’s a fine, a reprimand, or outright removal from the airwaves, something needs to happen. Keith McPherson is not too big to fail. He’s a tiny fish in a massive pond, with a long way to go before he can sit at the table with the “big boys.”

Meanwhile, Heyman deserves acknowledgment for standing his ground. Mistakes and all, he’s a giant in the field, and his contributions to baseball journalism far outweigh a single typo. McPherson? Take notes and learn respect—because the guys around you built the path you’re trying to walk.  How quickly you and your big head forgot.  

You should call out sick today. You need to not speak for a bit.  That's my take.

JON HEYMAN NEEDS TO SHUT HIS PIE HOLE

And I say that with love.

Jon Heyman is back at it, folks—taking swings, making predictions, and seeing what sticks. During a Wednesday Bleacher Report stream, the MLB insider declared that Juan Soto, the All-Star outfielder currently starring in every hot-stove rumor, is most likely to land with the New York Mets. Why? Because Steve Cohen’s money machine never sleeps, and, well, that’s Heyman’s “gut feeling.”

"As we sit here today, I’d make the favorite the Mets," Heyman said, channeling his inner Mystic Meg. "Because Steve Cohen is there. I think they had a very good meeting. I think Soto probably believes long-term they’re going to be in great shape. … Me, if I had to pick a favorite right now, I might say Mets."

Now, let’s be clear: Jon Heyman is an entertaining and knowledgeable baseball insider, but he’s also baseball’s version of a carnival fortune teller. Remember that year when he confidently tweeted that “Arson Judge” was heading to the San Francisco Giants? Of course, Aaron Judge stayed in pinstripes, and Heyman earned himself a permanent spot in baseball meme history.

This Soto-to-the-Mets take feels like another shot in the dark, though Heyman does have some solid reasoning behind it. Steve Cohen is baseball’s wealthiest owner, and there’s talk that he’s willing to "go $50 million over whatever anybody offers" for Soto. David Stearns, the Mets’ new baseball czar, has already proven he can assemble competitive teams. Add to that Soto’s preference for staying on the East Coast, and sure, the Mets are a plausible favorite.

But before you hand Heyman the “First to Know” trophy, let’s take a moment to acknowledge that Bleeding Yankee Blue was ahead of the curve on this one—nearly a year ago. In June, BYB boldly predicted the very scenario Heyman is now floating: "Will Juan Soto go to the Mets after this season as I believe he will?" Looks like Jon might be pulling from the BYB playbook on this one (you’re welcome, Jon).

Meanwhile, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner is busy assuring everyone that his team has “the ability to sign any player we want to sign.” Classic Hal. Yankees fans have heard this tune before, only to see marquee free agents slip through the cracks. Michael Kay even revealed this week that Cohen’s rumored willingness to outbid everyone by $50 million is making Steinbrenner’s cautious spending approach look downright quaint.

Let’s be honest: the Yankees are in serious danger of losing the Soto sweepstakes. Soto would fit perfectly in the Bronx, but if Cohen is indeed “going full blast,” as insiders claim, Hal might already be waving the white flag. Or, as NJ Advance Media’s Bob Klapisch put it, “My gut says Hal Steinbrenner is already preparing for Soto’s defection into the Mets' loving embrace.”

So, is Soto destined to don Mets blue and orange? It’s possible. The Mets have the cash, the market, and the East Coast appeal to build Soto into a generational superstar. Then again, with Heyman’s track record, maybe we shouldn’t book those Citi Field photo ops just yet. After all, this is the guy who gave us Arson Judge—a misstep so hilariously wrong that every Heyman prediction since comes with a side of skepticism.

Whether Soto ends up with the Mets, Yankees, or a surprise suitor, one thing’s for sure: the offseason drama isn’t over. And through it all, we’ll always have Jon Heyman—part baseball oracle, part chaos agent, always entertaining. Just don’t bet the farm on his gut.

Let me finish by saying the I'm razzing Heyman a bit. At the end of the day, I'd love Soto to be a Yankee, but in the sports world these days... anything is possible.  And for Soto and the Mets? It's very, very possible.

MOM, THAT MAN IS LINKED TO THE YANKEES AGAIN!

Derek Jeter was the first to say it, and when Derek Jeter speaks, you know he sees something that others may not see. That's right! Months ago he said to the world that the Yanks may be smart to go out and get Juan Soto.  That's a paraphrase, but there's no question the Yankees front office, desperate at the time were thinking about it long and hard.

Now comes word that Juan Soto and the Padres "might" part, only because the Padres may be changing up how they do business.  Inside the Pinstripes writes:

"The Yankees likely will be extremely active this upcoming offseason. The starting rotation will need to be addressed but adding another left-handed bat also is extremely important. One player who reportedly could be a Yankees target is San Diego Padres superstar Juan Soto, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman.

"There’s been a suggestion the Padres may scale back after failing to make the playoffs with the third-highest payroll," Heyman said. "And some believe Juan Soto, who’s a year from free agency, could be up for trade discussion.

"Not sure selling is in San Diego’s DNA, but in case, the Yankees, who badly need left-handed hitters, make sense. (And no one should ever rule out Steve Cohen, of course.) One exec suggests: It should be patterned after the Mookie Betts deal, a superstar with a year to go (though hopefully would turn out fairer)."

Now take from this what you will. Heyman is not a true baseball insider in the sense that he's never right before the signing happens, but then just jumps in after to be part of the Twitter mix as if to say, "I'm right here with Buster and Jack Curry." But really, he's just a gnat.  I respect the grind, but it's obvious now.  Go to the beach, it's over Jon.  Arson Judge says hello.

But back to Soto.  Will it happen? Do the Yankees have the money? Will the Padres want to keep him? Many questions, welcome to the world of speculation.

As much as I love to watch Soto play, there is something about stars that come to the Bronx that change into mediocre ones after they arrive.  I don't know if it's the pressure or the amount of money they command that changes their mindset, but I don't know what to make of this idea either to be honest.  

Let me ask you. What do you make of it?